Computer Simulations of Proteins Help Unravel Why Chemotherapy Resistance Occurs

Understanding why and how chemotherapy resistance occurs is a major step toward optimizing treatments for cancer.

Three-dimensional structure of the cancer drug target Abl kinase (grey) bound to the anti-cancer drug Imatinib. Normally, the drug exits slowing via the blue arrow. A modification in the kinase (red sphere) causes the drug to exit via a fast route (red arrow). Credit: Aziz M. RangwalaA team of scientists, including Markus Seeliger, PhD, of the Stony Brook Cancer Center and Renaissance School of Medicine, believe they have found a new process through which drug resistance happens. They are using a computer simulation model that is helping them understand exactly how molecules interact with the cancer drug Imatinib (known as Gleevec) in the chemotherapy-resistant process. Imatinib treats chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) highly effectively, yet many late-stage patients experience drug resistance, which renders the drug minimally effective at that stage.

The research is highlighted in a paper published in Angewandte Chemie, a top chemistry journal, and builds on previous research detailed in 2021 in PNAS. Read more.

Related posts

The latest On Social Media

Article Categories

Subscribe to SB Matters